"Mimi…" I muster before being pulled out into the frigid breeze of the alley. Mimi stood before me, staring expectantly. "I- look, Mimi, I should tell you," I LOVE MARK. "I'm a disaster, I'm not sure how to-"

"Let's just- skip it this part. It's hard for everyone." She says, taking my hand and begins leading me down the alleyway.

"I should tell you-" I begin.

"I should tell you." Will I ever tell this girl? I'm only trying to tell her easily, so she doesn't get hurt.

"I should tell you…" I try once more.

"I should tell, I blew the candle out, just to keep seeing you." She says, avoiding my eyes. Well, I'm not blind, Mimi, you didn't do a great job of a sleuth back in the loft.

"I should tell you, it's been so long since I smiled, until your candle burnt my skin-" I'm cut off again.

"I should tell you…" She starts, where is it going this time?

"I should tell you…" I love Mark!

"Here this goes again…" She says quietly, then pulls me to look at her.

"Now, we-" really shouldn't.

"Oh no." What?

"Here this goes," I can't be with you, I love Mark.

"Here goes…?" She persists.

"I guess, this is starting to…" make sense. I take her a deep breath. Looking at how desperate Mimi was, it was hard to say no to her. She looked like she yearned for someone, me. "Who knows."

"Who knows?" She repeats. I have to tell her. Before this goes any further. Or, I could not, and simply give up this Mark fantasy. But, oh God, it's so much more than a fantasy. It's a desire. It's a need. But, Mimi's here. She wants me. Why not pursue this? One thought sticks in my mind.

Mark.

But, it'll never happen. With the time I have left, why waste it waiting for him, or, dreaming of him.

Because you love him.

But he loves…Maureen and girls. And his camera. Not his worthless ex-junkie roommate. Biting my lip, I contemplate my options.

With on swift move, I lean down and kiss her softly.

This isn't right.

This isn't Mark.

And it never will be…

We walk hand-in-hand slowly back inside after the kiss. She's grinning uncontrollably, and I'm trying to keep control instead of openly weeping.

I look back to Mark. His camera slowly scanning the café. It stops and Mimi and I just as she pulls me into another kiss.

"Oblivious, Mimi and Roger share a small, lovely kiss." Mark says to the camera.

I haven't forgot about you Mark, you just haven't begun to think about me.